working for friends

PA hayseed · Jan 8, 2008

some real nice quotes in this thread, I laughed alot. I loved the name of the friends Dead end and one way.

I feel your pain. I have had friends come and help me for free, so I do likewise. My problem came when my wife wanted to remodel the entranceway to our house. She wanted to contact my friend the contractor. I told him and her (both present) that this was a business relationship between the two of them (I didn't think we needed to remodel, and she wasn't going to wait til I got around to it as I was already in the middle of another job). He agreed to do what she wanted, the way she wanted. In the end she was ticked about the bill, and complained to him. He was angry saying that she got a reduced price. I was stuck in the middle.

In defense of her I did let him use some of my woodworking tools, I ordered all the supplies and had them at the house for him, I also let him use my pole building to work in (it was winter time). I primed and painted all the trim work. In defense of him, he did a great job, and gave a decent price, and you never had to worry that some hack contractor's hired help was riping off your house when you were at work.

In the end I was the bad guy, having made her mad and him mad. I agree with everyone else, don't mix business and friends.

Wayne County Hose · Jan 9, 2008

My theory in life is that with every interaction you have, you train people how to treat you. Everytime you let someone get over on you, you just trained them that it's okay to do it. Everytime you let the boss yell at you, you trained him that it's okay to do it. When you let the kids talk back to you, you just trained them that it's okay to do it. You trained them, they did nothing wrong. Sorry, but in these situations, there is nobody to blame but yourself.

I have many friends, we all trade work. Some of them I owe, some owe me. I really don't know who owes what and really don't care. My carpenter buddy is building my house for a greatly reduced rate. Will I complain if somethings not right? Yes, but he will know if he screwed up. I will owe him for years, but he knows I'll always be there for him. I would have anyway, if he built my house or not.